True-Time-Delay Mechanical Phase Shifter in Gap Waveguide Technology for Slotted Waveguide Arrays in <i>Ka</i>-Band

This article proposes a novel all-metal mechanical phase shifter in gap waveguide technology. The is aimed at providing beam-scanning capabilities to conventional slot array antennas along the elevation plane. To validate experimentally beam-steering functionality, 4×8 slot-array antenna has been designed and fabricated, with phase-shifting mechanism. whole consists of two pieces: lower rotatable block, which changes length concentric groove waveguides, an upper fixed where placed. Experimental results proposed concept, having obtained steering angles up 25°, gain levels around 20 dBi efficiency close 90%. A reflection coefficient below -10 dB achieved for wide range rotation from 29.5 30.5 GHz. completely scalable any size its true-time-delay nature enables ranges closely-spaced arrays wideband radiation performance.